O'Connor eyes Toulon move

Afp
Saturday, February 08, 2014

PARIS - Reports in France claim big-spending Top 14 side Toulon have agreed a one-year deal with sacked Wallabies star James O'Connor.

The news was reportedly announced by the club's president Mourad Boudjellal yesterday with the 23-year-old Queenslander to complete this season with London Irish before linking up with Toulon for the start of the 2014/2015 season.

Should O'Connor make the switch and plays the full season it would almost rule him out of the Rugby World Cup which takes place in England next September.

A move to Toulon, however, could jeopardise O'Connor's prospects of playing in the 2015 World Cup as Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has gone on record as saying that any player who wants to be considered must play for an Australian province.

O'Connor has developed a reputation as a troublemaker following several brushes with the rugby authorities in recent years.

He was dropped by Australia in September in the wake of an incident at Perth airport that reportedly saw him escorted from the premises for arguing with airline staff.

O'Connor moved to English Premiership outfit after the Wallabies' 2-1 defeat to the British and Irish Lions last year after his Australian contract was terminated as a result of numerous off-field incidents.

At Toulon he will link up with former Wallabies Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.